It can be difficult and upsetting to parent a drug-dependent child. Approaching the situation with love, tolerance, and understanding is crucial. A common misperception is that addiction is a choice or moral problem, and all you have to do is stop.
But nothing could be further from the truth," says Dr. George Koob, director of NIH's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
"The brain changes with addiction, and it takes a good deal of work to get it back to its normal state. The more drugs or alcohol you've taken, the more disruptive it is to the brain."
These are some pointers for raising a child who is drug dependent:
Inform yourself
Understand addiction, its signs, and the effects of drugs on the body and mind of your child. look out for all these,
anxiety or depression
mood swings (temper flare-ups, irritability, defensiveness)
rapid increases in the amount of medication needed
frequent requests for refills of certain medicines
a person not seeming like themselves (showing a general lack of interest or being overly energetic)
"doctor shopping" (moving from provider to provider to get several prescriptions for the same medication)
use of more than one pharmacy
false or forged prescriptions
Links
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What To Ask
Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health
Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help
Drinking to Excess: Recognize and Treat Alcohol Problems
Stamp Out Smoking: Tobacco-Free Living
Breaking Bad Habits: Why It's So Hard To Change
Risky Business: Dealing With Your Teen's Behavior
Encourage your kid to ask for assistance
Urge your kid to get help from a professional. Addiction cannot be beaten on one's own. There are numerous treatment options, including therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and rehabilitation.
Researchers have found that much of addiction's power lies in its ability to hijack and even destroy key brain regions that are meant to help us survive.
A healthy brain rewards healthy behaviors—like exercising, eating, or bonding with loved ones. It does this by switching on brain circuits that make you feel wonderful, which then motivates you to repeat those behaviors. In contrast, when you're in danger, a healthy brain pushes your body to react quickly with fear or alarm, so you'll get out of harm's way. If you're tempted by something questionable—like eating ice cream before dinner or buying things you can't afford—the front regions of your brain can help you decide if the consequences are worth the actions.
No matter how young your child is, you can encourage habits that will help keep them safe online. From the moment they start using a digital device, whether it's connected to the internet or not, it's time to 'start the chat' about what's happening on their screen. That way they will get used to talking about what they are doing, even when they don't have a problem, so they feel comfortable coming to you if something unexpected happens.
As you explore games and apps together you can point out when it would be good to ask for help, such as when someone video calls or a pop up appears.
It's especially important to teach your toddler or preschooler to ask for help in the following situations.
If they are contacted by anyone
Let your child know they should talk to you if anyone contacts them while they are using a device, including people they know, whether it's in a video-call, online message or a game. It's important for you to know who your child is communicating with online and to ensure they are not being contacted by strangers or people who may be a risk. You could say, 'Come and get me if anyone talks to you or contacts you online, even if it's a friend'.